Master, pixel array substrate, electro-optical device and methods of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A master having a substrate including displaying units and an ESD protection structure including an adjacent first region and a second region is provided. The displaying units have a predetermined-cutting region therebetween. Each displaying unit includes a peripheral circuit region and a display region having pixels. The ESD protection structure disposed on the predetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheral circuit region, and connecting the display region includes a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the first region and having an end away from the predetermined-cutting region, a first patterned dielectric layer disposed on the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate and having a first opening exposing a portion of the first patterned conductive layer, a patterned transparent conductive layer disposed corresponding to the predetermined-cutting region and connecting the first patterned conductive layer, and a second patterned dielectric layer covering the patterned transparent conductive layer and the substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan applicationserial no. 96140059, filed on Oct. 25, 2007. The entirety of theabove-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by referenceherein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a master, a pixel array substrate, anelectro-optical device, and methods of manufacturing the said elements.More particularly, the present invention relates to a master having anelectrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure, a pixel arraysubstrate, an electro-optical device, and methods of manufacturing thesaid elements.

2. Description of Related Art

An ESD phenomenon is quite common in our daily lives. Since variousobjects are of different electron affinities, charge-transferringreactions are likely to be generated when any two objects are broughtinto contact and then separated, thus leading to an accumulation ofelectrostatic charges. As long as the electrostatic charges in theobjects are accumulated to a certain degree, a sudden and momentaryelectric current flows between the two objects occurs when one of theobjects carrying the electrostatic charges is in contact with orapproaching to the other object at a different electrical potential,leading to an ESD event.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is herein taken for an example.During processes of manufacturing, producing, assembling, delivering,and using the LCD panel, the LCD panel is very much likely to suffer theESD damage. Therefore, the LCD panel must be equipped with a design ofpreventing the ESD damage, such that the lifetime of the LCD panel iseffectively extended. In general, the LCD panel includes a pixel arraysubstrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposedtherebetween. Here, the fabrication of the pixel array substrate istaken for an example. In order to improve the manufacturing efficiency,a plurality of displaying units is often formed on a master of a glasssubstrate. Thereafter, through an implementation of a cutting process,the displaying units are cut off, so as to form a plurality of pixelarray substrates.

In addition, during the formation of the displaying units, an ESDprotection circuit characterized by satisfactory conductivity can beformed on the glass substrate for connecting each of the displayingunits. The ESD protection circuit is capable of conducting theelectrostatic charges out of the displaying units, given that theaccumulation of the electrostatic charges takes place in any step of themanufacturing process, so as to avoid circuits or elements in each ofthe displaying units from suffering the permanent ESD damage. Further,after the displaying units are cut off and a plurality of the pixelarray substrates is formed, the ESD protection circuit is also conduciveto releasing the electrostatic charges possibly generated during theassembling process, the delivering process, or even after consumerspurchasing the LCD panels start using the same. Accordingly, adisposition of the ESD protection circuit results in an extension of thelifetime of the LCD panel to which the pixel array substrate is applied.

However, when the displaying units are cut off and the plurality of thepixel array substrates is formed, the ESD protection circuit made of ametallic material is exposed, wherein the metallic material withinnon-transparent function consists of Au, Ag, Al, Sn, Cu, Ti, Ta, Mo, W,Nd, or others, or alloy thereof. In subsequent processes of inspectingthe panel, the exposed metal may be corroded or oxidized, further posinga negative impact on display performance of the LCD panel. In light ofthe foregoing, the conventional LCD panel cannot simultaneously achievefavorable display performance and maintain the lifetime of the LCDpanel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a master for resolving an issuethat a metallic material (e.g. an ESD protection circuit) on a cuttingsurface is exposed after the master is cut.

The present invention is further directed to a pixel array substrate forpreventing display performance from being adversely affected due to acorrosion of an exposed metallic material (e.g. an ESD protectioncircuit).

The present invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing amaster in which no metallic material (e.g. an ESD protection circuit) isexposed after the master is cut.

The present invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing apixel array substrate with a relatively favorable display quality.

The present invention is further directed to an electro-optical deviceof good quality.

The present invention is further directed to a method of manufacturingan electro-optical device. The method is conducive to an improvement ofmanufacturing yield of the electro-optical device.

The present invention provides a master including a substrate and atleast an ESD protection structure. The substrate has a plurality ofdisplaying units and at least a predetermined-cutting regiontherebetween. Each of the displaying units includes at least aperipheral circuit region and a display region having a plurality ofpixels. The ESD protection structure is disposed on thepredetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheral circuit region,and connected to the display region. The ESD protection structure has atleast a first region and at least a second region adjacent to the firstregion. Further, the ESD protection structure includes a first patternedconductive layer, a first patterned dielectric layer, a patternedtransparent conductive layer, and a second patterned dielectric layer.The first patterned conductive layer is disposed on the first region,and an end of the first patterned conductive layer is away from thepredetermined-cutting region. The first patterned dielectric layer isdisposed on the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate. Thefirst patterned dielectric layer has at least a first opening exposing aportion of the first patterned conductive layer. The patternedtransparent conductive layer is disposed on the substrate andelectrically connects the first patterned conductive layer. The secondpatterned dielectric layer covers the patterned transparent conductivelayer and the substrate.

The present invention further provides a pixel array substrate includinga substrate and at least an ESD protection structure. The substrateincludes at least a peripheral circuit region and a display regionhaving a plurality of pixels. The ESD protection structure disposed inthe peripheral circuit region and connected to the display region has atleast a first region and at least a second region adjacent to the firstregion. Further, the ESD protection structure includes a first patternedconductive layer, a first patterned dielectric layer, a patternedtransparent conductive layer, and a second patterned dielectric layer.The first patterned conductive layer is disposed on the first region,and an end of the first patterned conductive layer is away from an edgeof the substrate. The first patterned dielectric layer is disposed onthe first patterned conductive layer and the substrate, and the firstpatterned dielectric layer exposes a portion of the first patternedconductive layer. The patterned transparent conductive layer is disposedon the substrate and is electrically connected to the first patternedconductive layer. The second patterned dielectric layer covers thepatterned transparent conductive layer and the substrate.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing amaster. The master includes a substrate and at least an ESD protectionstructure. The substrate has a plurality of displaying units having atleast a predetermined-cutting region therebetween. Each of thedisplaying units includes at least a peripheral circuit region and adisplay region having a plurality of pixels. The ESD protectionstructure is disposed on the predetermined-cutting region, located inthe peripheral circuit region, and connected to the display region.Further, the ESD protection structure has at least a first region and atleast a second region adjacent to the first region. The method ofmanufacturing the ESD protection structure includes forming a firstpatterned conductive layer on the first region. Here, an end of thefirst patterned conductive region is away from the predetermined-cuttingregion. Next, a first patterned dielectric layer is formed on a firstconductive layer and the substrate. Here, the first patterned dielectriclayer has at least a first opening exposing a portion of the firstpatterned conductive layer. A patterned transparent conductive layer isdisposed on the substrate and electrically connecting the firstpatterned conductive layer is then constructed. Thereafter, a secondpatterned dielectric layer is formed on the patterned transparentconductive layer and the substrate.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a pixelarray substrate. In the method, the master described in theabove-mentioned embodiment is provided at first. The master is cut alongthe predetermined-cutting region thereof. Here, an end of the firstpatterned conductive layer on the first region and an end of thepatterned transparent conductive layer thereon are covered by the secondpatterned dielectric layer, while a side of the patterned transparentconductive layer on the second region is exposed.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a pixelarray substrate. First, a master is provided. The master includes asubstrate and at least an ESD protection structure. The substrate has aplurality of displaying units having at least a predetermined-cuttingregion therebetween. Each of the displaying units includes at least aperipheral circuit region and a display region having a plurality ofpixels. The ESD protection structure is disposed on thepredetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheral circuit region,and connected to the display region. The ESD protection structure has atleast a first region and at least a second region adjacent to the firstregion. Further, the ESD protection structure also includes a firstpatterned conductive layer, a first patterned dielectric layer, apatterned semiconductor layer, a second patterned conductive layer, apatterned transparent conductive layer, and a second patterneddielectric layer. The first patterned conductive layer is disposed onthe first region, and an end of the first patterned conductive layer isaway from the predetermined-cutting region. The first patterneddielectric layer is disposed on the first patterned conductive layer andthe substrate. The first patterned dielectric layer has at least a firstopening exposing a portion of the first patterned conductive layer. Thepatterned semiconductor layer is disposed in the second region, suchthat a portion of the first patterned dielectric layer is disposedbetween the substrate and the patterned semiconductor layer. The secondpatterned conductive layer is disposed on the first patterned dielectriclayer. Besides, the second patterned conductive layer has at least athird opening interlacing the first opening, such that the secondpatterned conductive layer is away from the predetermined-cutting regionand is electrically connected to the first patterned conductive layerand the patterned semiconductor layer. The patterned transparentconductive layer is disposed on the substrate and electrically connectsthe first patterned conductive layer. The second patterned dielectriclayer covers the patterned transparent conductive layer and thesubstrate. After that, the master is cut along the predetermined-cuttingregion. Here, a side of the patterned transparent conductive layer onthe first region, a side of the patterned transparent conductive layeron the second region, a side of the first patterned dielectric layerthereon, and a side of the patterned semiconductor layer thereon areexposed.

The present invention further provides an electro-optical deviceincluding the above-mentioned pixel array substrate.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing anelectro-optical device including the method of manufacturing theabove-mentioned pixel array substrate.

In the present invention, a non-metallic conductive material is disposedon a region of the ESD protection structure, and said region correspondsto the predetermined-cutting region. Hence, a structure made of themetallic material (e.g. the ESD protection structure) does not exist inthe predetermined-cutting region of the master. Namely, no metallicmaterial is exposed by sides of the pixel array substrates formed bycutting the master. Thereby, as the pixel array substrate of the presentinvention is applied to any display panel, an issue regarding thecorrosion of the metallic material is not apt to occur, giving rise to adesired display quality. On the other hand, the disposition of thenon-metallic conductive material permits the ESD protection structure toconduct electrostatic charges, which is conducive to an extension of thelifetime of the pixel array substrate.

In order to the make the aforementioned and other objects, features andadvantages of the present invention comprehensible, several embodimentsaccompanied with figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial top view schematically illustrating a masteraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A through 2E are cross-sectional views illustrating a process ofmanufacturing an ESD protection structure along sectional lines A-A′ andB-B′ of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A through 3E are partial top views illustrating the process ofmanufacturing the ESD protection structure of the master depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a top view schematically illustrating a pixel array substrateaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view along sectional lines I-II,II-III, and IV-III of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a partial top view schematically illustrating the masteraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A through 6E are cross-sectional views illustrating the processof manufacturing the ESD protection structure along sectional lines C-C′and D-D′ of FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7A through 7E are partial top views illustrating the process ofmanufacturing the ESD protection structure of the master depicted inFIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is a top view schematically illustrating the pixel arraysubstrate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view along sectional lines I-II,II-III, and IV-III of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines E-E′ and F-F′ ofFIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines G-G′ and H-H′of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines J-J′ and K-K′of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view along a sectional line L-L′ of FIG.11A.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an electro-optical device according toone embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a partial top view schematically illustrating a masteraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, a master 100 or namely mother board or master substrate includesa substrate 110 and at least an ESD protection structure 130. Thesubstrate 110 has a plurality of displaying units 112 having at least apredetermined-cutting region 114 therebetween. Each of the displayingunits 112 includes a display region 118 having a plurality of pixels 116and at least a peripheral circuit region 120 adjacent to the displayregion 118. In the present embodiment, at least one peripheral circuitregion 120 surrounding the display region 118 is provided, which is notlimited in the present invention. The ESD protection structure 130 isdisposed on the predetermined-cutting region 114, located in theperipheral circuit region 120, and connected to the display region 118.For example, the pixels 116 include scan lines 116A, data lines 116B, atleast an active device 116C, and pixel electrodes 116D. In otherembodiments, the pixels 116 further include at least one of the elementsincluding a capacitance electrode (not shown), an alignment structure(not shown), spacers (not shown), and so on.

The ESD protection structure 130 has at least a first region 132 and atleast a second region 134 adjacent to the first region 132. Further, theESD protection structure 130 includes a first patterned conductive layer140, a first patterned dielectric layer 150, a patterned transparentconductive layer 160, and a second patterned dielectric layer 170. Thefirst patterned conductive layer 140 is disposed on the first region132, and an end of the first patterned conductive layer 140 is away fromthe predetermined-cutting region 114. That is to say, the end away fromthe predetermined-cutting region 114 of the first patterned conductivelayer 140 is not connected to the pixels 116, while the other end of thefirst patterned conductive layer 140 is connected to the pixels 116. Thefirst patterned dielectric layer 150 is disposed on the first patternedconductive layer 140 and the substrate 110. The first patterneddielectric layer 150 has at least a first opening 152 exposing a portionof the first patterned conductive layer 140. In the present embodiment,the first opening 152 corresponds to the predetermined-cutting region114, so as to expose the end of the first patterned conductive layer140, which is not limited in the present invention. That is to say,subsequent embodiments can also exemplify the above arrangement. Thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 is disposed on the substrate110 such as on second region 134 and at least one portion of the firstregion 132, i.e., corresponds to the portion of thepredetermined-cutting region 114, and electrically connects the firstpatterned conductive layer 150. The second patterned dielectric layer170 covers the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 and thesubstrate 110. In addition, the patterned transparent conductive layer160 has at least a second opening 162 corresponding to the first opening152.

The second opening 162 of the patterned transparent conductive layer 162substantially defines a width of the predetermined-cutting region 114.In other words, a width of the second opening 162 is, for exampleapproximately the same as the width of the predetermined-cutting region114, denoting that a part of a side of the second opening 162 overlapsor aligns to the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140, whichis not limited in the present invention. The width of the second opening162 can also be different from the width of the predetermined-cuttingregion 114. That is to say, a part of the side of the second opening 162is located within a projection area of the end of the first patternedconductive layer 140 and exposes the end of the first patternedconductive layer 140. The part of the side of the second opening 162exposes the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140. In brief,the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140 is not within thepredetermined-cutting region 114. As the master 100 is cut along thepredetermined-cutting region 114, the first patterned conductive layer140 is not exposed by the cutting surface of the master 100. Therefore,if the first patterned conductive layer 140 is made of or includes ametallic material, the quality of the product cut from the master 100 isnot harmed by the corrosion of the exposed metallic material insubsequent inspecting and delivering processes. On the other hand, thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 connects the first patternedconductive layer 150, contributing to conducting accumulatedelectrostatic charges out of each of the displaying units 112 in the ESDprotection structure 130. Accordingly the ESD phenomenon is not apt totake place in the master 100, thus extending the lifetime of the master100. To elaborate a protection function of the ESD protection structure130 in the present embodiment, a manufacturing the ESD protectionstructure 130 of the master 100 is provided hereinafter. However, thepresent embodiment merely serves as an exemplary description of thepresent invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereto.

FIGS. 2A through 2E are cross-sectional views illustrating a process ofmanufacturing the ESD protection structure along sectional lines A-A′and B-B′ of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 3A through 3E are partial top views illustrating theprocess of manufacturing the ESD protection structure of the masterdepicted in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3A, a first conductivelayer 142 is formed on the substrate 110 at first. The first conductivelayer 142 is a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure. Amaterial of the first conductive layer 142 is, for example, gold,silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, hafnium, tungsten, molybdenum,neodymium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum, zinc, an alloy thereof, metaloxide thereof, metal nitride thereof, or a combination thereof. In otherwords, the first conductive layer 142 is a single layer structure ormulti-layer structure and the total function of the structure thereofmay be reflective. In the present embodiment, a first region 132 is, forexample, defined in a location where the first conductive layer 142 isdisposed, i.e., the location of the sectional line A-A′. In the master100, the first conductive layer 142 is disposed in the peripheralcircuit region 120 of each of the displaying units 112, and the firstconductive layer 142 is, for example, connected to each of the displayregions 118. In the manufacturing process, given that the electrostaticcharges are accumulated in circuits of the display regions 118, thefirst conductive layer 142 is able to conduct the electrostatic chargesout of the circuits. Hence, the first conductive layer 142 is capable ofpreventing ESD damages, which is conducive to manufacturing yield of themaster 100.

In addition, a material of the substrate 110 includes an inorganictransparent material (e.g. glass, quartz, or other materials), anorganic transparent material (e.g. polyolefin, polythiourea,polyalcohol, polyester, rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosettingpolymer, polyarylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, othermaterials, derivatives thereof, or a combination thereof), an inorganicnon-transparent material (e.g. silicon, ceramics, other materials, or acombination thereof), or a combination thereof. For example, thesubstrate 110 serves as a base in the pixel array substrate, and thesubstrate 110 made of glass, one of the inorganic transparent materials,is taken for an example in the present embodiment, which is not limitedin the present invention.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2B and 3B, a first patterned dielectric layer150 is formed on the first conductive layer 142 and the substrate 110.The first patterned dielectric layer 150 has at least a first opening152 exposing a portion of the first conductive layer 142, for example. Amaterial of the first patterned dielectric layer 150 is, for example, aninorganic material (e.g. silicon oxide, silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, silicon carbide, hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, othermaterials, or a combination thereof), an organic material (e.g.photoresist, enzocyclobutane (BCB), cycloolefin, polyimide, polyamide,polyester, polyalcohols, polyethylene, polyphenylene, resin, polyether,polyketone, other materials, or a combination thereof), or a combinationthereof. Note that the first opening 152 is, for example, correspondingto the predetermined-cutting region 114 of the master 100. Namely, thefirst opening 152 is disposed in a place which the connection region orthe intersection region or the boundary region of each of the displayingunits 112. In addition, a dimension of the first opening 152 is, forexample, substantially greater than a width of the predetermined-cuttingregion 114, such that portions of the first conductive layer 142 in thepredetermined-cutting region 114 and at respective sides of thepredetermined-cutting region 114 are exposed. However, the dimension ofthe first opening 152 is not limited in the present invention. Forexample, the dimension of the first opening 152 can be substantiallyidentical to the width of the predetermined-cutting region 114. Besides,according to other embodiments, the first opening 152 may extend alongthe predetermined-cutting region 114, such that the substrate 110 in thepredetermined-cutting region 114 is exposed. In other words, an edge ofthe first patterned dielectric layer 150 may be disposed outside thepredetermined-cutting region 114.

Thereafter, referring to FIGS. 2C and 3C, the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 connected to the first conductive layer 142 isformed. A method of forming the patterned transparent conductive layer160 includes, for example, forming a transparent conductive material onthe substrate 110 and performing a patterning process for forming thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 on the substrate 110 andconnecting the first conductive layer 142. The transparent conductivematerial is, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide(IZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminumoxide, aluminum tin oxide (ATO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), cadmium tinoxide (CTO), cadmium zinc oxide (CZO), or a combination thereof. In thepresent embodiment, an outline (a top view) of the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 is preferably a substantially annular pattern or asubstantially curved pattern, for example. The substantially annularpattern includes a substantially rectangular pattern or a substantiallycircular pattern, while the substantially curved pattern includes asubstantially inverted-U shaped pattern, a substantially U-shapedpattern, a substantially H-shaped pattern, a substantially S-shapedpattern, a substantially W-shaped pattern, a substantially V-shapedpattern, and so on. Besides, the second opening 162 constituted by aportion of the above-mentioned annular pattern or the curved pattern isdisposed in the predetermined-cutting region 114, corresponds to thefirst opening 152, and exposes a portion of the first conductive layer142. In practice, the second opening 162 of the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 exposes the first conductive layer 142 in thepredetermined-cutting region 114. In addition, a portion of thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 is next to the first region132 depicted in FIG. 1, so as to define the second region 134 where thesectional line B-B′ is disposed.

Before the first conductive layer 142 is patterned, the first conductivelayer 142 denotes consecutive metal conductive wires for releasing theelectrostatic charges. However, after the master 100 is cut, an exposedside of the first conductive layer 142 in the predetermined-cuttingregion 114 may be corroded or oxidized in the subsequent inspectingprocess, thus adversely affecting the quality of the ESD protectionstructure 130. Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 2D and 3D, when thepatterning process is performed to form the patterned transparentconductive layer 160, the first patterned conductive layer 140 is alsopatterned, so as to form a plurality of inconsecutive segments. Inpractice, the first conductive layer 142 disposed in the second opening162 is intended to be removed in this step, such that the firstpatterned conductive layer 140 is formed. Hence, the end of the firstpatterned conductive layer 140 is, for example, aligned to a part of theside of the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 in the secondopening 162, which is not limited in the present invention. In analternative, the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140 may belocated within the projection area of the part of the side of thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 in the second opening 162. Itshould be noted that the patterning process may be performed on thefirst conductive layer 142 with use of a photomask in the processdepicted in FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B according to other embodiments, such thatthe first patterned conductive layer 140 can be formed at a differenttime from the formation of the patterned transparent conductive layer160.

On the other hand, a portion of the patterned transparent conductivelayer 160 is, for example, brought into contact with the first patternedconductive layer 140 exposed by the first opening 152. Namely, thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 corresponding to thepredetermined-cutting region 114 is connected to the end of the firstpatterned conductive layer 140. Thereby, the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 and the first patterned conductive layer 140together form a successive conductive circuit, contributing to releasingthe accumulated electrostatic charges out of the substrate 110 duringthe manufacturing process of the ESD protection structure 130 or onvarious manufacturing conditions.

In other words, by means of the disposition of the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 in the present embodiment, the inconsecutive firstpatterned conductive layer 140 is combined together, such that acomplete ESD protection circuit is constituted. As such, the elements ofthe substrate 110 are not likely to suffer the ESD damage, and favorablequality of the elements can be accomplished. In addition, when thesubstrate 110 is cut along a cutting region 144 in the subsequentmanufacturing process, the first patterned conductive layer 140 made ofthe metallic material is not exposed and corroded. As a result, thequality of the ESD protection structure 130 can be ensured in thepresent embodiment.

After that, referring to FIGS. 2E and 3E, a second patterned dielectriclayer 170 is formed on the substrate 110 and the patterned transparentconductive layer 160, such that the fabrication of the ESD protectionstructure 130 is completed. A material of the second patterneddielectric layer 170 may include an organic dielectric material, andinorganic dielectric material, or a combination thereof. Additionally,the material of the second patterned dielectric layer 170 can beselected from the materials of the first patterned dielectric layer 150as discussed hereinbefore. In practice, the second patterned dielectriclayer 170 covers a part of the side of the first patterned conductivelayer 140 and a part of the side of the patterned transparent conductivelayer 160, for example. Namely, the second patterned dielectric layer170 conformally covers the first patterned conductive layer 140 and thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160. Besides, a portion of thesecond patterned dielectric layer 170 disposed in thepredetermined-cutting region 114 is directly disposed on the substrate110, for example.

Further, referring to FIG. 1, during the fabrication of the ESDprotection structure 130, a plurality of the pixels 116 can also beformed simultaneously in the display region 118 of each of thedisplaying units 112. To sum up, the conductive circuits used forconducting the unnecessary electrostatic charges out of the master 100are available in each step of the process of manufacturing the master100, thus resulting in the desired manufacturing field of the master100. Even after the master 100 is cut for forming a plurality of thepixel array substrates, the favorable quality of the pixel arraysubstrates can still be ensured.

The master 100 includes a plurality of the displaying units 112. Hence,after the fabrication of the master 100 is completed, each of thedisplaying units 112 must be cut, so as to form a plurality ofindividual pixel array substrates through performing a laser cuttingprocess, a blade cutting process, a roller cutting process, othercutting processes, or a combination thereof. FIG. 4A is a top viewschematically illustrating a pixel array substrate according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a schematiccross-sectional view along sectional lines I-II, II-III, and IV-III ofFIG. 4A. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pixel array substrate 400 isformed by cutting the master 100 along the predetermined-cutting region114, and thus components of the pixel array substrate 400 is the same asthose of the master 100. The pixel array substrate 400 includes onesubstrate 110 and at least one ESD protection structure 130. Thesubstrate 110 includes the display region 118 having a plurality of thepixels 116 and at least one peripheral circuit region 120 adjacent tothe display region 118. In the present embodiment, at least oneperipheral circuit region 120 surrounding the display region 118 isprovided, which is not limited in the present invention. The ESDprotection structure 130 disposed in the peripheral circuit region 120and connected to the display region 118 has at least one first region132 and at least one second region 134 adjacent to the first region 132.In addition, the sectional line I-II is located in the first region 132,the sectional line II-III is along an edge of the substrate 110, and thesectional line IV-III is located in the second region 134.

It is indicated by the sectional line I-II that the first opening 152 ofthe first patterned dielectric layer 150 exposes a portion of the firstpatterned conductive layer 140. In the present invention, the firstopening 152 exposes the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140,and the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 is connected to thefirst patterned conductive layer 140. In the ESD protection structure130, the end of the first patterned conductive layer 140 is away fromthe edge of the substrate 110. Accordingly, the first patternedconductive layer 140 is disposed outside a cross-section depicted by thesectional line II-III. That is to say, the side of the first patternedconductive layer 140 is not exposed by the edge of the substrate 110. Onthe other hand, the second patterned dielectric layer 170 covers thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 and the substrate 110. Inpractice, it is learned from the sectional line II-III that the secondpatterned dielectric layer 170 exposes one side of the patternedtransparent conductive layer 160 on the second region 134.

If the electrostatic charges are accumulated within the pixel arraysubstrate 400, the electrostatic charges are conducted to the patternedtransparent conductive layer 160 through the first patterned conductivelayer 140 and released out of the pixel array substrate 400. Therefore,the ESD protection structure 130 plays an important role on preventingthe occurrence of the ESD event in the pixel array substrate 400,ensuring the quality of the pixel array substrate 400. Besides, as shownby the sectional line II-III, the conductive layer exposed outside thesubstrate 110 is the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 which isnot made of the metallic material. Thereby, it is unlikely for the ESDprotection structure 130 to have an exposed and corroded metalliccutting surface.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a partial top view schematically illustrating the masteraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5, a master 500 is similar to the master 100 in the firstembodiment, and thus the identical elements of the two masters 500 and100 are not described hereinafter. The difference between the master 500and the master 100 lies in that an ESD protection structure 530 of themaster 500 further includes at least one of a patterned semiconductorlayer 580 and a second patterned conductive layer 590.

The patterned semiconductor layer 580 is disposed in the second region134, such that a portion of the first patterned dielectric layer 150 isdisposed between the substrate 110 and the patterned semiconductor layer580. The second patterned conductive layer 590 is disposed on the firstpatterned dielectric layer 150. Besides, the second patterned conductivelayer 590 has at least a third opening 592 interlacing the first opening152, such that the second patterned conductive layer 592 is away fromthe predetermined-cutting region 114 and is electrically connected tothe first patterned conductive layer 140 and the patterned semiconductorlayer 580. The patterned transparent conductive layer 160, is disposedon the substrate 110 such as on the first region 132 and second region134, i.e. corresponds to the portion of the predetermined-cutting region114, and electrically connects the first patterned conductive layer 140.In practice, the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 is, forexample, electrically connected to the first patterned conductive layer140 and the patterned semiconductor layer 580 through the secondpatterned conductive layer 590. The patterned transparent conductivelayer 160 can be also electrically connected to the first patternedconductive layer 140 and the patterned semiconductor layer 580 giventhat no second patterned conductive layer 590 is disposed. In otherwords, the first patterned conductive layer 140 and the patternedsemiconductor layer 580 can be electrically connected to each otherthrough at least one of the patterned transparent conductive layer 160and the second patterned conductive layer 590, so as to furtherelectrically connect various segments of the first patterned conductivelayer 140.

In the ESD protection structure 530, the first patterned conductivelayer 140, the second patterned conductive layer 590, the patternedsemiconductor layer 580, and the patterned transparent conductive layer160 together form a complete or a successive conductive circuit, so asto prevent the ESD event from occurring in the master 500. Thereby, themaster 500 is not apt to be damaged during its fabrication, and themanufacturing yield of the master 500 is improved as well. In addition,the conductive circuit in the predetermined-cutting region 114 of theESD protection structure 530 is made of a non-metallic material such astransparent conductive material, semiconductor material, dielectricmaterial, or others, or combinations thereof. Hence, after the master500 is cut along the predetermined-cutting region 114, the cuttingsurface exposes no metal, and thus the quality of the master 500 can beguaranteed. In detail, a method of manufacturing the ESD protectionstructure 530 is schematically illustrated in the top views of FIGS.6A-6E and the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 7A-7E. Here, FIGS. 6Athrough 6E illustrate the manufacturing process of the ESD protectionstructure along sectional lines C-C′ and D-D′ of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 7A, the first conductive layer 142 and a firstdielectric layer 154 are firstly formed on the substrate 110. Here, thestep of forming the first conductive layer 142 is equivalent to thatdepicted in FIGS. 2A and 3A. Moreover, the first dielectric layer 154covers the first conductive layer 142 and the substrate 110.Specifically, in the second region 134, the first dielectric layer 154is directly disposed on the substrate 110. A material of the firstdielectric layer 154 is, for example, the inorganic material (e.g.silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide,hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, other materials, or a combinationthereof), the organic material (e.g. photoresist, BCB, cycloolefin,polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyalcohols, polyethylene,polyphenylene, resin, polyether, polyketone, other materials, or acombination thereof), or a combination thereof.

Thereafter, referring to FIGS. 6B and 7B, the patterned semiconductorlayer 580 is formed at the side of the first conductive layer 142. Theposition of the patterned semiconductor layer 580 corresponds to that ofthe predetermined-cutting region 114, and the patterned semiconductorlayer 580 neither overlaps nor interlaces the first conductive layer142. The patterned semiconductor layer 580 is disposed on the firstdielectric layer 154, i.e., in the second region 134, and the firstdielectric layer 154 is disposed between the patterned semiconductorlayer 580 and the substrate 110.

After that, referring to FIGS. 6C and 7C, the first opening 152 isformed in the first dielectric layer 154, such that the first dielectriclayer 154 is patterned, and the first patterned dielectric layer 150 isthen constructed. Here, a portion of the first patterned dielectriclayer 150 is, for example, located between the patterned semiconductorlayer 580 and the substrate 110. The first opening 152 overlaps aportion of the predetermined-cutting region 114 and exposes a portion ofthe first conductive layer 142. Since the consecutive first conductivelayer 142 is able to conduct the electrostatic charges out of thesubstrate 110, the ESD damage to some of the elements can be preventedin each of the manufacturing processes discussed above.

Afterwards, referring to FIGS. 6D and 7D, the second patternedconductive layer 590 is formed on the first patterned dielectric layer150. In the present embodiment, a material of the second patternedconductive layer 590 is, for example, selected from the same or thedifferent materials of the first patterned conductive layer 142, whilethe material of the first patterned conductive layer 142 can be selectedfrom the materials described in the previous embodiment. The secondpatterned conductive layer 590 has at least one third opening 592interlacing the first opening 152. An edge of the third opening 592 isapproximately adjacent to or aligned to the edge of thepredetermined-cutting region 114. In other words, the third opening 592,for example, substantially aligned with the predetermined-cutting region114, i.e. exposes the predetermined-cutting region 114 and the portionof the patterned semiconductor layer 580 in the second region 134.Moreover, the third opening 592 divides the second patterned conductivelayer 590 into a plurality of blocks. That is to say, the disposition ofthe third opening 592 results in the fact that the second patternedconductive layer 590 is substantially disposed outside thepredetermined-cutting region 114.

Additionally, when the third opening 592 is formed, the first conductivelayer 142 disposed within the third opening 592 is simultaneouslyremoved, so as to form the first patterned conductive layer 140. Namely,the first patterned conductive layer 140 and the second patternedconductive layer 590 are constructed in the same patterning process. Incorrespondence with the location of the third opening 592, the edge ofthe first patterned conductive layer 140 and the edge of the secondpatterned conductive layer 590 are, for example, approximately alignedto each other. Thus, the first patterned conductive layer 140 and thesecond patterned conductive layer 590 are substantially disposed outsidethe predetermined-cutting region 114. Accordingly, the cutting regioncut along the predetermined-cutting region 114 in the subsequentmanufacturing process does not expose the metallic material constitutingthe first patterned conductive layer 140 and the second patternedconductive layer 590. Moreover, according to other embodiments, thepatterning process may be performed on the first conductive layer 142with use of the photomask in the process depicted in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C orFIG. 6D, such that the first patterned conductive layer 140 can beformed at a different time from the time during which the patterningprocess of the second patterned conductive layer 590 is implemented.Accordingly, the first patterned conductive layer 140 is substantiallydisposed outside the predetermined-cutting region 114. As such, thecutting region cut along the predetermined-cutting region 114 in thesubsequent manufacturing processes does not expose the metallic materialconstituting the first patterned conductive layer 140.

On the other hand, the first patterned conductive layer 140, the secondpatterned conductive layer 590, and the patterned semiconductor 580together construct a consecutive conductive circuit. Although the firstconductive layer 142 preventing the ESD damage is patterned to becomethe inconsecutive segments in this step, the conductive circuitcomprising the first patterned conductive layer 140, the secondpatterned conductive layer 590, and the patterned semiconductor layer580 is still capable of releasing the accumulated electrostatic chargesout of the substrate 110 during the manufacturing process of the ESDprotection structure 530 or on various manufacturing conditions. As awhole, the ESD protection circuit remains on the substrate 110, posingno impact on the manufacturing yield of the master 500.

Next, referring to FIGS. 6E and 7E, the patterned transparent conductivelayer 160 and the second patterned dielectric layer 170 are sequentiallyformed on the substrate 110, so as to form the ESD protection structure530 depicted in FIG. 5. The material of the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 can be selected from the materials described in theprevious embodiment. The patterned transparent conductive layer 160 iselectrically connected to the second patterned conductive layer 590 andthe patterned semiconductor layer 580. Practically, the patternedtransparent conductive layer 160 electrically connects the secondpatterned conductive layer 590 at respective sides of thepredetermined-cutting region 114. Hence, the disposition of thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 in the ESD protectionstructure 530 also contributes to releasing the electrostatic chargesout of the substrate 110 and enhancing the manufacturing yield of themaster 500. It is of certainty that a plurality of the pixels 116 asprovided in the first embodiment can be formed in the display region 118of each of the displaying units 112 during the formation of the ESDprotection structure 530. Note that the manufacturing process of the ESDprotection structure 530 is compatible with that of the pixels 116, andmanufacturing the ESD protection structure 530 and the pixels 116 indifferent fabricating processes is allowed in the present invention.Nevertheless, in other embodiments, the formation of the secondpatterned conductive layer 590 may be omitted. Instead, the consecutiveconductive circuit is constructed in the subsequent manufacturingprocesses. Here, the consecutive conductive circuit merely includes thefirst patterned conductive layer 140, the patterned semiconductor layer580, and the patterned transparent conductive layer 160.

FIG. 8A is a top view schematically illustrating the pixel arraysubstrate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view along sectional lines I-II,II-III, and IV-III of FIG. 8A. Here, the sectional line I-II is locatedin the first region 132, the sectional line II-III is along the edge ofthe substrate 110, and the sectional line IV-III is located in thesecond region 134. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a pixel array substrate800 is formed by cutting the master 500 of FIG. 5 along thepredetermined-cutting region 114. The elements of the pixel arraysubstrate 800 are the same as those of the master 500. Hence, in the ESDprotection structure 530, the patterned transparent conductive layer 160covers the second patterned conductive layer 590, the first patterneddielectric layer 150, a portion of the patterned semiconductor layer580, and the substrate 110. In an alternative, the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 merely covers the first patterned dielectric layer150, a portion of the patterned semiconductor layer 580, and thesubstrate 110.

As indicated by the sectional line II-III, in the pixel array substrate800, the second patterned dielectric layer 170 exposes one side of thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 on the second region 134, oneside of the first patterned dielectric layer 150 thereon, one side ofthe patterned semiconductor layer 580 thereon, and one side of thepatterned transparent conductive layer 160 on the first region 132. Inother words, the conductive layer (e.g. the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 and the patterned semiconductor layer 580) exposedby the side of the pixel array substrate 800 is made of the non-metallicmaterial. Therefore, in the subsequent inspecting process, it isunlikely for the pixel array substrate 800 to encounter an issueregarding the corrosion of metal.

Besides, in the ESD protection structure 530, the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 electrically connects the second patternedconductive layer 590 and a portion of the patterned semiconductor layer580, while the second patterned conductive layer 590 is directlyconnected to the first patterned conductive layer 140. Alternatively,the patterned transparent conductive layer 160 electrically connects aportion of the patterned semiconductor layer 580 and the first patternedconductive layer 140. Hence, given that any ESD event occurs in thepixel array substrate 800, the ESD protection structure 530 is capableof releasing the electrostatic charges out of the pixel array substrate800, so as to prevent the circuits or the elements from suffering theESD damage. In brief, the pixel array substrate 800 of the presentinvention does not encounter the issue regarding the corrosion of theexposed metallic material. Further, the pixel array substrate 800 enjoysan extended lifetime. Besides, the satisfactory quality and the extendedlifetime of the display panel applying the pixel array substrate 800 ofthe present embodiment can also be guaranteed.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines E-E′and F-F′ of FIG. 9A. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in the presentembodiment, an ESD protection structure 930 is similar to the ESDprotection structure 130 of the master 100 described in the firstembodiment, while the description, the manufacturing method, and thematerials of the required elements of the ESD protection structure 930can all be referred to those provided in the first embodiment. In theESD protection structure 930, a first patterned dielectric layer 950 hasa plurality of first openings 952 and 954. The first opening 952corresponds to the predetermined-cutting region 114 and is approximatelyaligned to the edge of the first patterned conductive layer 140. Bycontrast, the first opening 954 is disposed at a place which is adjacentto the predetermined-cutting region 114 and exposes a portion of thefirst patterned conductive layer 140. Thereby, the first patternedconductive layer 140 can be electrically connected to a patternedtransparent conductive layer 960 through the first opening 954.

Aside from the above, a second opening 962 of the patterned transparentconductive layer 960 exposes a portion of the first patterned dielectriclayer 950 in the present embodiment, for example. Namely, in anextending direction of the first patterned conductive layer 140, a widthof the second opening 962 is substantially greater than a width of thefirst opening 952, for example. The ESD protection structure 930 of thepresent embodiment has the same advantages as those described in the ESDprotection structure 130 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the ESDprotection structure 930 of the present embodiment is capable ofimproving the manufacturing yield and the quality of the master or thepixel array substrate. In addition, the manufacturing method of the ESDprotection structure 930 in the present embodiment can also becompatible with the conventional manufacturing method of the pixelarray.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the master is cut to form aplurality of the pixel array substrates, no issue concerning thecorrosion of the exposed metallic cutting surface takes place in the ESDprotection structure 930. Besides, the cross-sectional structure alongthe edge of the substrate 110 is the same as the structure along theedge of the substrate 110 indicated by the sectional line II-III of thefirst embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 10A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines G-G′and H-H′ of FIG. 10A. Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, in the presentembodiment, an ESD protection structure 1030 is similar to the ESDprotection structure 530 of the master 500 in the second embodiment,while the description, the manufacturing method, and the materials ofthe required elements of the ESD protection structure 1030 can all bereferred to those provided in the second embodiment. In the ESDprotection structure 1030, a first patterned dielectric layer 1050 has aplurality of first openings 1052 and 1054. The first opening 1052corresponds to the predetermined-cutting region 114 and is approximatelyaligned to the edge of the first patterned conductive layer 140. Bycontrast, the first opening 1054 is disposed at a place which isadjacent to the predetermined-cutting region 114 and exposes a portionof the first patterned conductive layer 140. Additionally, the thirdopening 592 of the second patterned conductive layer 590 exposes aportion of the first patterned dielectric layer 1050 in the presentembodiment, for example, such that the edge of the third opening 592 islocated outside the predetermined-cutting region 114.

Practically, the first patterned conductive layer 140 is electricallyconnected to the second patterned conductive layer 590 through the firstopening 1054, and can be further electrically connected to the patternedtransparent conductive layer 160. The first patterned conductive layer140 can also be electrically connected to the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 through the first opening 1054 if there is nosecond patterned conductive layer 590 disposed in the ESD protectionstructure 1030. The ESD protection structure 1030 of the presentembodiment has the same advantages as those described in the ESDprotection structure 530 of the second embodiment. Accordingly, the ESDprotection structure 1030 of the present embodiment is capable ofimproving the manufacturing yield and the quality of the master or thepixel array substrate.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the master is cut to form aplurality of the pixel array substrates, no issue concerning thecorrosion of the exposed metallic cutting surface takes place in the ESDprotection structure 1030. Besides, the cross-sectional structure alongthe edge of the substrate 110 is the same as the structure along theedge of the substrate 110 indicated by the sectional line II-III of thesecond embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 11A is a top view schematically illustrating the ESD protectionstructure of the master according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view along sectional lines J-J′and K-K′ of FIG. 11A. Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, in the presentembodiment, an ESD protection structure 1130 is similar to the ESDprotection structure 1030 in the fourth embodiment, while thedescription, the manufacturing method, and the materials of the requiredelements of the ESD protection structure 1130 can all be referred tothose provided in the second embodiment. In the ESD protection structure1130, a first opening 1152 of a first patterned dielectric layer 1150 isdisposed at a place which is adjacent to the predetermined-cuttingregion 114 and exposes a portion of the first patterned conductive layer140. That is to say, the opening corresponding to thepredetermined-cutting region 114 is not disposed in the ESD protectionstructure 1130, representing the fact that the first opening 1152 of thepresent embodiment is not located within the predetermined-cuttingregion 114.

The first patterned conductive layer 140 is electrically connected tothe second patterned conductive layer 590 through the first opening1152, and can be further electrically connected to the patternedtransparent conductive layer 160. The first patterned conductive layer140 can also be electrically connected to the patterned transparentconductive layer 160 through the first opening 1152 if there is nosecond patterned conductive layer 590 disposed in the ESD protectionstructure 1130. In the present invention, the ESD protection structure1130 is fabricated with use of different conductive materials. Inaddition, the conductive layer disposed in the predetermined-cuttingregion 114 is made of the non-metallic material, and thus no metallicmaterial is exposed by the cutting surface along thepredetermined-cutting region 110. Thus, the ESD protection structure1130 has the same advantages as those of the ESD protection structure530 as discussed in the second embodiment.

Practically, when the ESD protection structure 1130 is cut along thepredetermined-cutting region 114, the cross-sectional view of thecutting surface is illustrated in FIG. 11C. As indicated in a sectionalline L-L′ of FIG. 11C, the exposed conductive layer includes thepatterned semiconductor layer 580 and the patterned transparentconductive layer 160. Neither of the two conductive layers is made ofthe metallic material, and thus it is unlikely for the ESD protectionstructure 1130 to encounter the issue regarding the corrosion of theexposed metallic material after the cutting process is performed on theESD protection structure 1130. Moreover, if the ESD protection structure1130 proposed by the present invention is applied to an LCD panel, theLCD panel is able to accomplish a favorable display quality and enjoys arelatively long lifetime.

Further, it should be noted that the method of patterning each filmlayer described in the previous embodiments includes depositing,photoresist coating, and removing an unnecessary portion of each filmlayer by performing a photolithographic process and an etching processwith use of the photomask. However, the film layer can be fabricatedthrough implementing any other appropriate processes, such as an inkjetprinting process, a printing process, any other manufacturing processes,or a combination thereof. Moreover, the photomask can either be a normalphotomask merely having a transparent region and a non-transparentregion or be a photomask with a various light transmission rates. Inother words, the photomask with the various light transmission rates hasthe transparent region, the non-transparent region, and at least asemi-transparent region located between the transparent region and thenon-transparent region, such as a slit mask, a half-tone mask, agray-level mask, a diffraction mask, any other masks with the variouslight transmission rates, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an electro-optical device according toone embodiment of the present invention. As indicated in FIG. 12, thepixel array substrate formed in accordance with the previous embodimentscan be applied to a display panel 1202, and the display panel 1202 andan electronic device 1204 electrically connected thereto togetherconstruct an electro-optical device 1200. Here, the electronic device1204 includes a control device, an operating device, a treatment device,an input device, a memory device, a driving device, a light emittingdevice, a protection device, a sensing device, a detecting device, anyother devices having other functions, or a combination thereof. On theother hand, the electro-optical device 1200 comprises a portable product(e.g. a mobile phone, a camcorder, a camera, a laptop computer, a gameplayer, a watch, a music player, an e-mail receiver and sender, a mapnavigator, a digital picture, or the like), an audio-video product (e.g.an audio-video player or the like), a screen, a television, a bulletin,a panel in a projector, and so on.

In general, the finished display panel 1202 at least includes one pixelarray substrate, another transparent substrate opposite to the aforesaidpixel array substrate, and display media disposed between the pixelarray substrate and the transparent substrate. Here, the transparentsubstrate has one transparent conductive layer. As a material of thedisplay media is a liquid crystal material, the display panel 1202 isreferred to as the LCD panel (e.g. a transmissive display panel, atransflective display panel, a reflective display panel, acolor-filter-on-array (COA) display panel, an array-on-color-filter(AOC) display panel, a vertical alignment (VA) display panel, anin-plane switched (IPS) display panel, a multi-domain vertical alignment(MVA) display panel, a twist nematic (TN) display panel, a super twistnematic (STN) display panel, a patterned vertical alignment (PVA)display panel, a super-patterned vertical alignment (S-PVA) displaypanel, an advance super view (ASV) display panel, a fringe fieldswitching (FFS) display panel, a continuous pinwheel alignment (CPA)display panel, an axially symmetric aligned micro-cell mode (ASM)display panel, an optically compensated bend (OCB) display panel, asuper-in-plane switched (S-IPS) display panel, an advancedsuper-in-plane switched (AS-IPS) display panel, an ultra-fringe fieldswitching (UFFS) display panel, a polymer sustained alignment (PSA)display panel, a dual-view display panel, a triple-view display panel, athree-dimensional display panel, any other display panels, or acombination thereof). On the contrary, when the material of the displaymedia is an organic electroluminescent material, the display panel 1202is referred to as an organic electroluminescent display panel (e.g., afluorescent organic electroluminescent display panel, a phosphor organicelectroluminescent display panel, or a combination thereof). Here, theorganic electroluminescent material of the organic electroluminescentdisplay panel includes a small molecule electroluminescent material, apolymer electroluminescent material, or a combination thereof.

To sum up, in the master and the pixel array substrate of the presentinvention, the ESD protection structure is constructed by connecting themetallic conductive layers to the non-metallic conductive layers. Here,the non-metallic conductive layers are disposed corresponding to thepredetermined-cutting region of the master. In the pixel arraysubstrates formed by cutting the master, the exposed side of the ESDprotection structure is made of the non-metallic material. Thereby, itis unlikely for the pixel array substrates to have the exposed andcorroded metallic cutting surface. Moreover, in the manufacturing methodof the master according to several embodiments of the present invention,the ESD protection circuit is furnished in every single manufacturingprocess, thereby improving the manufacturing yield of the master. Assuch, the pixel array substrates formed by cutting the master of thepresent invention are also characterized by the improved manufacturingyield. In conclusion, the present invention provides the master, thepixel array substrate, and the relevant electro-optical device featuringthe desired manufacturing yield, the satisfactory quality, and theextended lifetime.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure of the presentinvention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fallwithin the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A master comprising a substrate and at least an electrostaticdischarge protection structure, the substrate having a plurality ofdisplaying units and at least a predetermined-cutting regiontherebetween, each of the displaying units comprising at least aperipheral circuit region and a display region having a plurality ofpixels, so that the electrostatic discharge protection structure beingdisposed on the predetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheralcircuit regions, connected to the display regions, and having at least afirst region and at least a second region adjacent to the first region,the electrostatic discharge protection structure comprising: a firstpatterned conductive layer disposed on the first region and having anend away from the predetermined-cutting region; a first patterneddielectric layer disposed on the first patterned conductive layer andthe substrate, the first patterned dielectric layer having at least afirst opening exposing a portion of the first patterned conductivelayer; a patterned transparent conductive layer disposed on thesubstrate and electrically connected to the first patterned conductivelayer; and a second patterned dielectric layer covering the patternedtransparent conductive layer and the substrate.
 2. The master accordingto claim 1, wherein the patterned transparent conductive layer has atleast a second opening corresponding to the first opening.
 3. The masteraccording to claim 1, further comprising a patterned semiconductor layerdisposed in the second region, such that a portion of the firstpatterned dielectric layer is disposed between the substrate and thepatterned semiconductor layer.
 4. The master according to claim 3,further comprising a second patterned conductive layer disposed on thefirst patterned dielectric layer and having at least a third openinginterlacing the first opening, such that the second patterned conductivelayer is away from the predetermined-cutting region and is electricallyconnected to the first patterned conductive layer and the patternedsemiconductor layer.
 5. The master according to claim 4, wherein thepatterned transparent conductive layer covers the second patternedconductive layer, the first patterned dielectric layer, a portion of thepatterned semiconductor layer, and the substrate.
 6. A pixel arraysubstrate comprising a substrate and at least an electrostatic dischargeprotection structure, the substrate comprising at least a peripheralcircuit region and a display region having a plurality of pixels, sothat the electrostatic discharge protection structure being disposed inthe peripheral circuit region, connected to the display region, andhaving at least a first region and at least a second region adjacent tothe first region, the electrostatic discharge protection structurecomprising: a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the firstregion and having an end away from an edge of the substrate; a firstpatterned dielectric layer disposed on the first patterned conductivelayer and the substrate, the first patterned dielectric layer exposing aportion of the first patterned conductive layer; a patterned transparentconductive layer disposed on the substrate and electrically connected tothe first patterned conductive layer; and a second patterned dielectriclayer covering the patterned transparent conductive layer and thesubstrate.
 7. The pixel array substrate according to claim 6, whereinthe second patterned dielectric layer exposes a side of the patternedtransparent conductive layer on the second region.
 8. The pixel arraysubstrate according to claim 6, further comprising a patternedsemiconductor layer disposed in the second region, such that a portionof the first patterned dielectric layer is disposed between thesubstrate and the patterned semiconductor layer.
 9. The pixel arraysubstrate according to claim 8, wherein the second patterned dielectriclayer exposes a side of the patterned transparent conductive layer onthe second region, a side of the first patterned dielectric layerthereon, and a side of the patterned semiconductor layer thereon. 10.The pixel array substrate according to claim 8, further comprising asecond patterned conductive layer disposed on the first patterneddielectric layer, so as to electrically connect the first patternedconductive layer and the patterned semiconductor layer.
 11. The pixelarray substrate according to claim 10, wherein the patterned transparentconductive layer covers the second patterned conductive layer, the firstpatterned dielectric layer, a portion of the patterned semiconductorlayer, and the substrate.
 12. The pixel array substrate according toclaim 10, wherein the second patterned dielectric layer exposes a sideof the patterned transparent conductive layer on the first region, aside of the patterned transparent conductive layer on the second region,a side of the patterned semiconductor layer thereon, and a side of thefirst patterned dielectric layer thereon.
 13. A method of manufacturinga master comprising a substrate and at least an electrostatic dischargeprotection structure, the substrate having a plurality of displayingunits and a predetermined-cutting region therebetween, each of thedisplaying units comprising at least a peripheral circuit region and adisplay region having a plurality of pixels, so that the electrostaticdischarge protection structure being disposed on thepredetermined-cutting region, located in the peripheral circuit regions,connected to the display regions, and having at least a first region andat least a second region adjacent to the first region, the methodcomprising: forming a first patterned conductive layer on the firstregion, an end of the first patterned conductive layer being away fromthe predetermined-cutting region; forming a first patterned dielectriclayer on the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate, thefirst patterned dielectric layer having at least a first openingexposing a portion of the first patterned conductive layer; forming apatterned transparent conductive layer on the substrate and electricallyconnecting the first patterned conductive layer; and forming a secondpatterned dielectric layer on the patterned transparent conductive layerand the substrate.
 14. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising forming at least a second opening in the patternedtransparent conductive layer corresponding to the first opening.
 15. Themethod according to claim 13, further comprising forming a patternedsemiconductor layer in the second region, such that a portion of thefirst patterned dielectric layer is disposed between the substrate andthe patterned semiconductor layer.
 16. The method according to claim 15,further comprising forming a second patterned conductive layer on thefirst patterned dielectric layer, the second patterned conductive layerhaving at least a third opening interlacing the first opening, such thatthe second patterned conductive layer is away from thepredetermined-cutting region and is electrically connected to the firstpatterned conductive layer and the patterned semiconductor layer.
 17. Amethod of manufacturing a pixel array substrate, the method comprising:providing the master of claim 1; and cutting the master along thepredetermined-cutting region, wherein an end of the first patternedconductive layer on the first region and an end of the patternedtransparent conductive layer thereon are covered by the second patterneddielectric layer, and a side of the patterned transparent conductivelayer on the second region is exposed.
 18. A method of manufacturing apixel array substrate, the method comprising: providing the master ofclaim 4; and cutting the master along the predetermined-cutting region,wherein a side of the patterned transparent conductive layer on thefirst region, a side of the patterned transparent conductive layer onthe second region, a side of the first patterned dielectric layerthereon, and a side of the patterned semiconductor layer thereon areexposed.
 19. An electro-optical device, comprising the pixel arraysubstrate of claim
 6. 20. A method of manufacturing an electro-opticaldevice, comprising the method of manufacturing the pixel array substrateof claim
 17. 21. A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device,comprising the method of manufacturing the pixel array substrate ofclaim 18.